Pilot's Badge, Real or Fake?

[Günter]

My friend supposedly inherited this from his great grandfather, but its authenticity is questionable, I have no experience in giving ID. The marking on the backside reads ?58 (could be "6" instead of 8 at the end). I would like to seek you guys' opinion on its authenticity. Thanks in advance!

[teryjaki]

I'm not and expert here and still learn something new about these all the time but the eagle is attached with prongs and all the genuine ones Iv'e seen have cleanly bucked rivets attaching the eagle. The catch is a locking type not typically used on these badges. I'm leaning toward "copy". I posting my combined pilot/observer badge for everyone to see (and it looks all correct) and i'm still no sure of it.

[Lubo]

Nothing, but an ugly fake!
Sorry!

[Sebastien T]

Hello

Souval post-war

[aoliveira]

VERY VERY NASTY

[Thomas Durante]

Hi Gunter,

I can only agree with the others, this is a crude postwar Souval fake. The marking on the back is L/58, which is Souval's maker mark. They have confirmed that they used this stamping on postwar fakes.

Tom

[Günter]

Thanks for your inputs gentlemen

[Mike Kenny]

I have nothing to add re the badge in question - 100% post war and poor quality.

However, your friend's story about inheriting it from his grandfather may still be correct. I have seen a lot of badges directly attributed (or still in the posession of) their original owners that were definite post-war reproductions. I seems that if the original owner lost (or had stolen, etc) his original badge, they simply sorced something that looks exactly the same, not knowing (or caring) whether it was produced pre- or post- May 45.

Regards
Mike

[Pierre]

Pierre

[AFF96]

I have nothing to add re the badge in question - 100% post war and poor quality.

However, your friend's story about inheriting it from his grandfather may still be correct. I have seen a lot of badges directly attributed (or still in the posession of) their original owners that were definite post-war reproductions. I seems that if the original owner lost (or had stolen, etc) his original badge, they simply sorced something that looks exactly the same, not knowing (or caring) whether it was produced pre- or post- May 45.

Regards
Mike

Agree 100% with Mike as I've received 2 Luft badges from a Polish vet & both were post war fakes.

[Günter]

Thank you everyone for making a positive ID on this one.